'Excited' Bloomfield ready to give of his best in Doha

Akeem Bloomfield is elated that he was selected to compete in the individual 400m at the IAAF World Championships of Athletics this month-end and has declared that he is ready to go three rounds with the best quarter-milers in the world.

The 21-year-old Bloomfield, the second-fastest Jamaican in history, only competed in the 200m at the national championships and was only fifth in the finals with a disappointing 20.81. However, on July 21, almost a month later, the former Kingston College star ran 44.40s to win the 400m at the Diamond League meeting in London.

Since then he has run times of 45.04 and 45.74 before ending the Diamond League season with a 44.67 clocking for third place in Brussels. Given that only two Jamaicans – Demish Gaye and Rusheen McDonald – had met the qualifying standard for the championships, Bloomfield found a way into the team for Doha.

“Right now, I feel pretty excited. I am thankful that the JAAA selected me,” Bloomfield told Sportsmax.TV shortly after Jamaica’s 55-member team was announced on Wednesday.

“This gives me a chance to show my talent. It’s a great honour and I am really happy right now.”

Bloomfield admitted he was a bit surprised by his selection because of his performance at the national championships. Now that he is included in the squad, the athlete is confident he will be ready to compete well in Doha as evidenced by the progress he has made since June.

And once in Doha, Bloomfield is confident that he can handle the rounds and go on to the final to battle for a spot on the podium.

“I am doing okay. I am going to give my best in Doha and see where the chips fall. I am physically ready to do three rounds. I just need to not exert myself over the first two rounds, and even if I do have to {run fast} in the semi-finals, I think I am in good standing,” said Bloomfield, who boasts a personal best of 43.94, 0.01s off Rusheen McDonald's national record.

Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.

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